goodness.

Oh my goodness. I forgot about one of my favorite clapping songs last time. This song is incredibly captivating (at least I think so) and I can't believe I forgot to mention it!
Radical Face - Welcome Home

Aquí está otra canción fantástico que tiene aplausos de manos, y no lo recordó hasta la vez mas reciente que yo lo oí en la radio!
Mute Math - Spotlight
Not sure why i wrote that in Spanish.... moving on.

Here's another fun song that was just mentioned to me for its hand clapping:
They Might Be Giants - Twisting

Here's some more goodness, in the form of food. I'm sad I didn't get a picture of it for the blog entry, though it wasn't really that much to look at. Instead, I can give you a picture of what my kitchen would've looked like, had I waited just a little bit longer to remember to pay attention to the oil that was on the stove behind me:


Grease fire! woohoo! They can devastate a kitchen in minutes, and can't be put out with water.
Anyway, here's the recipe (as best as I can remember) for my "italian omelet".

• Saute chopped shallots, onions, and avocado in italian spices and olive oil; remove from pan.
• Add garlic and more olive oil; later add chicken breast and pesto to pan; cook through
• Remove chicken from pan; cook spinach in microwave, then add to remaining oil and heat in pan
• In new pan, scramble eggs and milk; add chicken and spinach and cook as omelet; add mozzarella cheese

Note: Short as it is, this blog entry has been saved as a draft for a couple of weeks, and I finally got around to finishing it tonight. I've been rather busy - finishing work, taking summer finals, starting school full-time again... sucks that I've been neglecting this blog, but I've gotta do what I've gotta do.

I have an unhealthy obsession with hand-clapping.

...in music, I mean.
I don't just go around clapping my hands at strangers.

Listen to "Penelope" by Pinback. Then read.

I was about to go to bed, but I decided that I needed to post this song because it's been in my head all day. It's been lingering there, in the back of my mind, resurfacing every so often when my brain isn't occupied with some other immediate function. Despite the coming and going, that haunting presence hasn't driven me crazy yet...so it must be good, right? Hah, that's not really a valid reason, since I have a pretty high tolerance for things that don't agree with some peoples' ears. But this doesn't fit that category, because, in the name of all things catchy, who doesn't love hand claps?!

I should probably clarify though. The hand claps that I'm obsessed with happen to be more of an important supporting rhythmic theme than a cheesy addition to the beat. It's kind of funny, because I will hear a new song that really strikes me, and later realize that it's got the claps. Heh.

Great example of the flamenco-inspired style I adore: "Boy With a Coin" by Iron & Wine
(combined with the guitar style, "Penelope" falls into this category as well)

Less constant, but still good examples: "Stars and Sons" by Broken Social Scene, "Left & Right in the Dark" by Julian Casablancas

Syncopation is great!

Here are some songs with syncopated repeating clap-beats: "Starlight" by Muse, "The Tallest Man, the Broadest Shoulders" by Sufjan Stevens
Syncopated beat mostly all the way through: "15 Steps" by Radiohead (I'm a sucker for 5/4 time).

More standard beats, but still decent clapping (real or fake): "Clark Gable" by the Postal Service, "We're From Barcelona" by I'm From Barcelona (the pattern borders on being pretty standard and boring, but the song is cute), many Ratatat songs


I made this creepy digital art just for you!
Guess what else I've made?: Click here to go to a Grooveshark playlist of all these songs.
Can anyone add to these categories? I know there are some songs I'm forgetting.
If anyone actually reads this, and you know of a good song with hand claps, post it in a comment please!

I've got music, coming out of my hands and feet and kisses

I've been far too busy lately to get substantial reading done, so I thought I'd do a quick post of some songs that I've been digging lately. Most of these have come out pretty recently (thank you, satellite radio). Sometime I'll post some older favorites though, too, as long as people don't hate me for pushing my taste in music at them.

The links below go to Grooveshark, a free music service that lets you stream whatever songs you want. The ads are obnoxious, but I'll take the bright, flashy banners advertising stuff I don't care about as long as they come with a way to listen to that song I can't get out of my head but don't personally own. Descriptions and links are after the jump.


Here is a generic, poorly-edited picture of smoke that I attempted the other day. It's sad that something can be so beautiful but can't be captured in an image without being under precisely the right circumstances. But I guess that's the point of having eyes and experiencing life.
Now, without further ado:

I've never been that much of a Gorillaz fan, but I heard this song on the radio and it simultaneously creeped me out and intrigued me. It's poppy, yet dark; repetitive, yet unique. 
Gorillaz: Rhinestone Eyes

If you've seen 500 Days of Summer, you've heard the song "Sweet Disposition". The intro hooked me in as soon as I heard Dougy Mandagi's crooning falsetto mingling with opening guitar riff. "Fader" is their latest single, and I think it's pretty awesome, though in a different style than "Sweet Disposition".
The Temper Trap: Sweet Disposition & Fader

Just listen. This song makes me want to put the accelerator to the floor.
Two Door Cinema Club: I Can Talk

I recently re-discovered this band after having seen them in concert a few years ago opening for Anathallo at the Pike Room. I'm pretty sure that's it's just the one guy (who happens to be Andrew Bird's drummer) doing everything (live sampling FTW) except for the saxophone. And the saxophone rocks.
Dosh: Capture the Flag

I have been on such a Julian Casablancas kick lately... his debut solo album is fantastic. The lyrics totally make up for the poppy synth riffs, and, I don't even mind the synth riffs that much, despite my aversion to catchy things. Note: Julian is the lead singer of the Strokes, whom I love, but the style is a lot different; the Strokes are a lot darker sounding.
Julian Casablancas: 11th Dimension

I love Passion Pit, but I've listened to their album so many times that it's nice to hear something new from them. And while this song is nowhere near new, the style in which they cover it is refreshing.
Passion Pit: Tonight Tonight (Smashing Pumpkins Cover)

Well...that's my update. I hope it sufficiently made up for the fact that I created, and then neglected, this blog. I hope to be less busy this week and continue reading... once I get through the latest chapters in my macroeconomics and physics classes, that is.